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DirecTV said that it will launch local broadcast channel services in up to 50 additional markets by the end of this year; ten of these new markets will be served by the end of June.

DirecTV currently offers local broadcast channels in 51 markets. With the successful launch of the DirecTV 7S spot beam satellite in the fourth quarter, and using advanced digital compression technology, DirecTV will provide local broadcast channel service in approximately 100 markets by year-end, representing roughly 84 percent of U.S. television households.

The first 10 of these new markets will launch throughout the first half of this year, beginning with Richmond, Va., on Jan. 16. The next nine markets are Colorado Springs, Colo.; Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Roanoke, Va.; Green Bay, Wis.; Tucson, Ariz.; Shreveport, La.; Jackson, Miss.; Louisville, Ky. and Des Moines, Iowa.

Interesting that in the merger filings DirecTV mentioned that without a merger they would do up to 100 LIL markets, looks like they are continuing with the plan. Dish said they would do 80, I wonder if they are going to try to squeeze another 20 markets in too?

Salisbury MD would be a small market that could be squeezed in in order to reach the 50 new local market count.

Its currently adjacent to other markets DirecTV has plans in or is already doing local into local in: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke

Plus DirecTV could claim full DE LIL carriage with Sussex County.

It'd be nice if significantly viewed was allowed. People in Kent County (which is Philly DMA) get news from the Salisbury MD stations as Salisbury MD have cable carriage there and do Sussex and Kent news. The Philly stations will only cover DE if its BIG news happening but Salisbury stations have more focus on DE considering over half their market is from DE. I get Salisbury TV stations only with good atmospheric conditions in summer. The only problem is the station groups are locally owned companies that dont have agreements with DirecTV already.